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BULLETIN 260 MARCH, 1910
MICHIGAN
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
EXPERIMENT STATION
DIVISION OF BOTANY
SEEDS OF MICHIGAN WEEDS
BY
W. J. BEAL
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
1910
_The Bulletins of this Station are sent free to all newspapers in the
State and to such individuals interested in farming as may request them.
Address all applications to the Director, East Lansing, Michigan._
MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Postoffice and Telegraph address, East Lansing, Mich.
Railroad and Express address, Lansing, Mich.
A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, AND, WITH IT, CONTROLLED
BY THE
INCORPORATED
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
HON. ROBERT D. GRAHAM, Grand Rapids,
Chairman of the Board, Term expires 1914
HON. WM. J. OBERDORFFER, Stephenson, Term expires 1912
HON. Wm. L. CARPENTER, Detroit, Term expires 1912
HON. ALFRED J. DOHERTY, Clare, Term expires 1914
HON. I. R. WATERBURY, Detroit, Term expires 1916
HON. WILLIAM H. WALLACE, Bay Port, Term expires 1916
HON. FRED M. WARNER, Governor of the State, _Ex officio_
JONATHAN L. SNYDER, A. M., LL. D.,
President of the College, _Ex officio_
HON. L. L. WRIGHT, Ironwood, _Ex officio_
ADDISON M. BROWN, A. B., Secretary.
STATION COUNCIL
JONATHAN L. SNYDER, A. M., LL. D., Pres., _Ex officio_
ROBERT S. SHAW, B. S. A., Director
CHARLES E. MARSHALL, Ph. D., Scientific and Vice
Director and Bacteriologist
R. H. PETTIT, B. S. A., Entomologist
A. J. PATTEN, B. S., Chemist
H. J. EUSTACE, B. S., Horticulturist
J. A. JEFFERY, B. S. A., Soil Physicist
W. J. BEAL, Ph. D., Botanist
V. M. SHOESMITH, B. S., Farm Crops
ADDISON M. BROWN, A. B., Secretary and Treasurer
ADVISORY AND ASSISTANT STAFF.
C. P. HALLIGAN, B. S., Asst. Horticulturist
O. RAHN, Ph. D., Asst. Bacteriologist
A. C. ANDERSON, B. S., Asst. Dairy Husbandryman
J. B. DANDENO, Ph. D., Assist. Botanist
G. D. SHAFER, Ph. D., Research Asst. in Entomology
M. A. YOTHERS, B. S., Asst. in Entomology
W. GILTNER, D. V. M. M. S., Research Asst. in Bacteriology
C. W. BROWN, B. S., Research Asst. in Bacteriology
F. A. SPRAGG, M. S., Research Asst. in Crops (Plant Breeding)
C. S. ROBINSON, M. S. Research Asst. in Chemistry
MISS Z. NORTHROP, B. S., Asst. in Bacteriology
MISS L. M. SMITH, Ph. B., Asst. in Bacteriology
O. B. WINTER, A. B., Asst. in Chemistry
MRS. L. E. LANDON, Librarian
SUB-STATIONS.
Chatham, Alger County, 160 acres deeded--Leo M. Geismar in charge.
Grayling, Crawford County, 80 acres deeded.
South Haven, Van Buren County, 10 acres rented; 5 acres
deeded--Frank A. Wilkin in charge.
The designer of this bulletin first had in mind something of the sort
for the use of his students, not only the undergraduates, but others
living on farms, or teaching in Michigan and elsewhere. Whoever grows
seeds to sell, or buys seeds to sow, should be benefited by consulting
the illustrations which are unsurpassed for accuracy by anything in this
country. They were all made by Mr. F. H. Hillman. A hand lens costing
from twenty cents to a dollar is almost indispensable in examining our
seeds. The brief descriptions are necessarily made by using definite
scientific terms, which are explained in a glossary at the close of the
work. A few weeds are not illustrated, for the reason that the plants
have ceased to produce seeds, such as the horse radish, and some of them
are not conspicuously bad. Not far from half the illustrations are made
from small seed-like fruits, likely to be mistaken for seeds, such as
are produced by dandelions, burdocks, narrow-leaved dock, all grasses.
Cuts of seeds of several clovers are inserted that students may learn to
distinguished them from weeds too often mixed with them.
No apology is offered for making use of the decimal scale instead of the
cumbersome antiquated English scale, which fortunately is gradually
growing out of use. In the back part of the bulletin are duplicate
copies of the decimal scale that any one can cut out and use for
measuring.
For copies of the following figures some time ago prepared by Mr.
Hillman, we are indebted to the authorities of the Agricultural College,
of Reno, Nevada: 7, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39,
40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 55, 56, 58, 63, 68, 69, 71, 74, 75, 84, 86, 87, 91,
92, 95, 97, 98, 99, 108, 110, 116, 125, 130, 135, 138, 140, 144, 146,
152, 153, 158, 159, 172, 173, 174, 175, 178, 179, 181, 182, 185, 187,
189, 190, 191, 199, 203, 205, 212, 214, 215.
"A weed is any useless or troublesome plant."
"A plant out of place or growing where it is not wanted."
"Tobacco."
"A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."--Emerson.
Weeds everywhere; they thrive in the cornfield, they choke wheat in the
field, they annoy the gardner, they thrive in the meadow, they spring up
by the roadside, they encroach on the swamp, they damage the fleeces of
sheep. The rapid increase in the number and variety of weeds should
cause alarm.
DISADVANTAGES OF WEEDS.
1. They rob cultivated plants of nutriment.
2. They injure crops by crowding and shading.
3. They retard the work of harvesting grain by increasing the draft and
by extra wear of machinery. (Bindweed, thistles, red root.)
4. They retard the drying of grain and hay.
5. They increase the labor of threshing, and make cleaning of seed
difficult.
6. They damage the quality of flour, sometimes making it nearly
worthless. (Allium vineale L.)
7. Most of them are of little value as food for domestic animals.
8. Some weeds injure stock by means of barbed awns. (Squirrel tail
grass, wild oats, porcupine grass.)
9. Some of them injure wool and disfigure the tails of cattle, the manes
and tails of horses. (Burdock, cocklebur, houndstongue.)
10. A few make "Hair balls" in the stomachs of horses. (Rabbit-foot
clover, crimson clover.)
11. Some injure the quality of dairy products. (Leeks, wild onions.)
12. Penny cress, and probably others, when eaten by animals, injure the
taste of meat.
13. Poison hemlock, spotted cowbane and Jamestown weed are very
poisonous.
14. Many weeds interfere with a rotation of crops.
15. All weeds damage the appearance of a farm and render it less
valuable. (Quack-grass, Canada thistle, plantains.)
SOME SMALL BENEFITS.
1. They are of some use in the world to induce more frequent and more
thorough cultivation, which benefits crops.
2. The new arrival of a weed of first rank stimulates watchfulness.
(Russian thistle.)
3. In occupying the soil after a crop has been removed they prevent the
loss of fertility by shading the ground.
4. Weeds plowed under add some humus and fertility to the soil, though
in a very much less degree than clover or cow peas.
5. Some of them furnish food for birds in winter.
WHAT ENABLES A PLANT TO BECOME A WEED.
1. Sometimes by producing an enormous number of weeds. (A large plant of
purslane, 1,250,000 seeds; a patch of daisy fleabane, 3,000 to a square
inch.)
2. In other cases by the great vitality of their seeds. Shepherd's
purse, mustard, purslane, pigeon-grass, pigweeds, pepper-grass, May
weed, evening primrose, smart weed, narrow-leaved dock, two chick-weeds
survive when buried in the soil thirty years at least, as I have found
by actual test.
3. In each prickly fruit of a cocklebur there are two seeds, only one of
which grows the first year, the other surviving to grow the second year.
4. Some are very succulent, and ripen seeds even when pulled.
(Purslane.)
5. Often by ripening and scattering seeds before the cultivated crop is
mature. (Red root, fleabane.)
6. Sometimes by ripening seeds at the time of harvesting a crop, when
all are harvested together. (Chess, cockle.)
7. Some seeds are difficult to separate from seeds of the crop
cultivated. (Sorrel, mustard, narrow-leaved plantain in seeds of red
clover and alfalfa.)
8. Some are very small and escape notice. (Mullein, fleabane.)
9. Some plants go to seed long before suspected, as no showy flowers
announce the time of bloom. (Pigweeds.)
10. In a few cases the plants break loose from the soil when mature and
become tumble-weeds. (Some pigweeds, Russian thistle.)
11. Some seeds and seed-like fruits are furnished each with a balloon,
or a sail, or with grappling hooks. (Dandelion, sticktights, burdock.)
12. Some remain with the dead plant long into winter, and when torn off
by the wind or by birds, drift for long distances on the snow, often
from one farm to another. (Pigweeds.)
13. Some have creeping root-stocks or tubers. (Quack-grass, nut-grass.)
14. Some defend themselves with forks and bayonets. (Thistles.)
15. Most of them are disagreeable in taste or odor, so that domestic
animals leave them to occupy the ground and multiply. (Jamestown weed,
stink grass, milk weed.)
16. Plants with stout roots are sometimes passed over by the harrow or
cultivator.
HOW ARE WEEDS INTRODUCED AND HOW ARE THEY SPREAD?
1. By live stock, carried in the hair or fleece or carried by the feet;
in some instances passing alive with the excrement.
2. By unground feed-stuff purchased.
3. By adhering to the insides of sacks where they were placed with
grain.
4. In barnyard manure drawn from town.
5. In the packing of trees, crockery, baled hay and straw.
6. By wagons, sleighs, threshing machines.
7. Sometimes by plows, cultivators and harrows.
8. By railway trains passing through or near a farm.
9. By ballast of boats at wharves.
10. By wool-waste at factories.
11. By birds, squirrels, and mice.
12. By water of brooks, rivers, by washing rains and by irrigating
ditches.
13. By the wind aided by little wings or down, or by drifting on the
snow.
14. By dropping seeds to the ground from extending branches and
repeating the process.
15. By creeping root-stocks, as June grass, quack-grass and toad-flax.
16. By piercing potatoes, carrots, etc., quack-grass, June grass,
Bermuda grass are sometimes carried to other fields or farms where the
tubers and roots are planted.
17. A farmer buys clover seeds or grass seeds that were grown in some
state that never before grew seeds that went onto his farm and thus he
may get some new weeds. Seeds of alfalfa or some other crop bring new
kinds of weeds, especially those of dodder. As every kind of weed goes
onto a farm to stay there it follows that as a country becomes older the
greater the number of kinds of weeds. As a rule each farm is annually
getting more sorts of weeds, and as each farmer is cultivating weeds,
they are more freely distributed in every field and along every roadside
and by exchanging they are carried to neighboring and distant farms.
A great many farmers buy and sow whatever the merchant offers them under
the name mentioned. For example, the college has a sample of something
called clover seed, sold by a dealer in this state. It contains about 40
per cent of narrow-leaved plantain.
WHERE CERTAIN WEEDS ARE TROUBLESOME.
To begin with, years and years ago no new farm in the wilderness of
Michigan contained more than twenty to thirty-five kinds of weeds, as
there were not more than thirty-five sorts in the entire state, while at
present there are not far from 250 kinds. A large majority of weeds hail
from older countries, more especially from Europe.
There are a few weeds, like Canada thistle and quack-grass, that may
infest any crop of farm or garden, but in most cases, whether to call a
weed very bad depends on the nature of the crop grown, the size of the
weed-seeds and their time of ripening.
Some weeds have a very wide distribution, thriving all around the world
in temperate climates, while others are more limited in range; some
thrive only in dry, thin, sandy soil and others in wet soils. To some
extent the presence of a few weed-seeds is almost as objectionable when
once on the farm, as though there were more, because these few may
thrive and seed freely.
In many respects the lists of weeds for New Jersey is different from the
list in Michigan, while half the weeds of Nevada or Oregon are not known
in our state.
Chess, cockle, red root and rye are liable to be troublesome in fields
of winter wheat, because the seeds are more or less difficult to
separate from this grain and for the reason that they require a portion
of two years to come to maturity.
Meadows and pastures, especially where the land is not fertile, abound
in weeds that require two years or more to produce seeds, such as
narrow-leaved dock, bitter dock, bull thistle, carrot, teasel, two kinds
of mulleins, night-flowering catchfly, evening primrose, several kinds
of fleabane, ox-eye daisy, orange hawkweed, two or three kinds of
plantain, Canada thistle, hound's tongue, stick seed, sow thistle, horse
nettle, buttercups, toad flax, silvery cinquefoil, and many more, not
excluding some annuals, like crab-grass, tickle grass, pigeon grasses.
As crops of corn, potatoes, beans, turnips, beets and squashes are ready
to harvest at the close of one growing season they are molested more or
less by pigeon grasses, several pigweeds, purslane, crab-grass, barnyard
grass, tickle grass and a number of others.
In 1897 some seventy-five lots of timothy seeds were examined and the
following list of twenty-four species of weeds were found. Doubtless
other weeds may still be found in other lots of timothy seed. No sample
was entirely free from weeds. Pepper grass was most common, next
followed tumble weed and then shepherd's purse:
Amaranthus graecizans, Tumble weed.
Amaranthus retroflexus, Rough pigweed.
Anthemis Cotula, May weed.
Brassica arvensis, Charlock.
Brassica nigra, Black mustard.
Bursa Bursa-pastoris, Shepherd's purse.
Carduus arvensis, Canada thistle.
Carex straminea. A kind of sedge.
Chenopodium album, Pigweed.
Chenopodium filicifolium, Another kind of pigweed.
Lactuca Canadensis, Wild Lettuce.
Lepidium Virginicum, Wild Pepper-grass.
Onagra biennis, Evening primrose.
Panicum capillare, Hair grass, tickle grass.
Plantago lanceolata, Narrow-leaved plantain.
Plantago Rugelii, Rugel's Plantain, one of the broad-leaved plantains.
Poa compressa, Flat-stemmed poa, wire grass.
Potentilla Monspeliensis, Rough cinquefoil.
Prunella vulgaris, Self-heal.
Rumex Acetocella, Field or sheep sorrel.
Sisymbrium officinale, Hedge mustard.
Verbena angustifolia, Narrow-leaved vervain.
Verbena hastata, Blue vervain.
Verbena urticifolia, White vervain.
In examining some 130 lots of clover seeds as found in the market during
1897, thirty-two kinds of weed seeds were found. Sheep sorrel was most
common, next to this yellow or bitter dock and green foxtail. Only three
samples of clover seed was free from weeds, but possibly some weeds
might have been seen if larger quantities had been looked over.
During the year 1908, eleven years later, 47 kinds of weed seeds were
found in 122 lots of seed of red clover, a gain of nearly 50 per cent.
During three months from January 1, 1910, in examining 450 lots of seeds
of grasses, clovers and alfalfas, besides large numbers of common weeds
that we know, were 74 kinds not known to the writer. Of these 74 kinds,
probably some will never become weeds of any account. Some of these came
with alfalfa from Montana and some were importations from Europe and
elsewhere.
Parasitic fungi rank as weeds; such as rusts and smuts of wheat, oats,
corn; apple scab, black knot of plum, brown rot of cherry, anthracnose
of beans.
SOME MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE INTRODUCTION OF WEEDS AND A FEW RULES FOR
THEIR EXTERMINATION.
1. The right kind of a man, who will carefully observe and study the
kinds of weeds and their habits, fighting each to the best advantage, i.
e. with method.
2. See that all seeds purchased or grown at home for seed are free from
seeds of weeds. Although often heard, these words are too little
heeded.
3. See that threshing machines, hay racks, grain bags from other farms
are well cleaned before used on the farm.
4. Cook or grind screenings and burn chaff when certain weeds are
suspected.
5. Send seeds to the Agricultural College, East Lansing, for
identification, unless they are known to be harmless.
6. Strive to prevent weeds from ripening seeds. This is especially
important late in the season in case of all pigweeds, purslane and
others where the flowers are very small and are liable to be overlooked
and the seeds ripen before their presence is suspected.
7. For meadow or pasture make the soil very fertile, as most weeds will
then be killed or crowded by the better grass and become of little
account.
8. Modify the rotation of crops with reference to killing the weeds.
9. Make a specialty of hoed or cultivated crops.
10. Make soiling crops a prominent feature in certain fields.
11. Smother weeds with quick growing and thickly seeded crops, like red
clover or rye or buckwheat.
12. Keep some crops growing on the land from early spring till late
autumn,--double cropping, i. e., two cultivated crops in one year for
barn and cellar instead of one for use and one of weeds.
13. Cultivate thoroughly after a crop is removed.
14. Clean up and avoid leaving any vacant or out of the way places for
breeding ground.
15. Where practicable, remove fences and cultivate to the gutters of the
highway.
16. Keep some sheep.
17. When once begun, continue the work thoroughly from year to year,
giving no quarter to weeds. This is the easiest in the long run and the
royal way.
18. Where hand labor is employed, it is far less expensive and much
easier to keep weeds down by raking or hoeing once a week than by going
over the ground much less frequently.
The habits of a weed determine to a great extent the best mode of
fighting it. Certain remedies suggest themselves for creeping
perennials, like quack grass and toad flax, while different treatment is
best for narrow-leaved dock; and still a different mode of attack may be
adopted for crab grass and purslane.
Weeds are annuals, as pigweeds, crab grass, purslane; biennials as bull
thistle and mulleins; perennials, like quack grass, Canada thistle,
ox-eye Daisy.
Will it pay? The annual cost of successfully fighting a weedy farm of
100 acres in Ontario has been found to be about $75. Good cultivation in
the long run pays a greater profit than slipshod culture. It not only
kills the weeds, but keeps the soil in condition for securing good
crops. It conserves moisture.
Perennial plants cannot gain any if the green leaves are not allowed to
appear. The nourishment stored in the root stocks underground will aid
the plant to send up slender leaves and if these remain, the plants gain
and recruit, but if the leaves start underground and are cut off before
coming to the light, these root stocks are drawn on again to furnish
food to start more leaves and thus, in time become exhausted.
SEEDS OF MICHIGAN WEEDS.
ASCOMYCETES.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.]
=Ergot.= _Claviceps purpurea._ This is a poisonous fungus, not a seed,
mentioned here because it is frequently found as an outgrowth of the
grain of many grasses, such as rye, timothy, red top. To mature spores,
it must pass to another stage requiring six months or more.
GRASS FAMILY. GRAMINEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
=Quack-Grass. Couch-Grass.= _Agropyron repens_ (L.) Beauv. Florets about
1 cm. long, 5-nerved at the short-awned apex: grain seldom produced and
still less frequently found apart from the floral glume and palea,
linear, about 4 mm. long, base abruptly acute, apex rounded, rounded on
the back or outside, inside concave. Our worst weed. Introduced from
Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 3.]
=Wild Oat.= _Avena fauta_ L. Freed from chaff the floral glume is firm,
rough, brown, thinly hairy, about 15 mm. long, awn from near the middle
2-4 cm. long with several firm twists, abruptly bent near the middle,
the true grain seldom separated from the firmer floral glume. A bad weed
in Oregon and California, seldom seen in Michigan.
[Illustration: Fig. 4.]
=Field Chess.= _Bromus arvensis_ (L.) Not often seen in this country;
floral glume 6-7 mm. long bearing an awn rather longer; grain much like
that of _B. secalinus_ which see. Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 5.]
=Soft Chess.= _Bromus hordeaceus_ L. (_Bromus mollis_). Floral glume
extending beyond the grain, 5-7 nerved, 6-9 mm. long, grain rounded on
the back, shape of a shallow boat, 6.5 mm. long, palea thin with
comb-like teeth on the margins. Waste places, thin meadows. Introduced
from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 6.]
=Smooth Brome-grass.= _Bromus racemosus_ L. Florets about 9 mm. long,
awn 6-10 mm. long; longer, softer, thinner, with longer awn than found
in florets of _B. secalinus_ which see. Not often seen in this country.
Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 7.]
=Chess Cheat.= _Bromus secalinus_ L. Florets swollen a little above the
middle, the floral glume rounded on the back, obscurely 7-nerved, 6-7
mm. long, an awn 3-4 mm. long, more or less; palea covering the concave
side, each edge bearing a single row of stiff hairs; glume and palea
closely adhering to the grain. Introduced from Europe. A weed in wheat
fields.
[Illustration: Fig. 8.]
=Barren Brome Grass.= _Bromus sterilis_ L. Floral glume minutely
roughened, adhering to the grain; 5-7 nerved; 11-15 mm. long;
compressed; concave in section. Introduced from Europe, becoming common
in the state.
[Illustration: Fig. 9.]
=Sand-Bur. Bur-Grass.= _Cenchrus tribuloides_ L. Spikelets consisting of
the grain and its coverings, broad oval, somewhat flattened, about 7 mm.
long, thinly covered by stiff, straight, barbed, prickles, 2-5 mm.
long, making a disagreeable and formidable bur, often common on sandy
land. Native of this country.
[Illustration: Fig. 10.]
=Bermuda Grass.= _Cynodon Dactylon_ L., Pers., (Capriola Dactylon (L.)
Kuntze). Floral glume enclosing the grain, smooth, light colored, oval
to half-oval, 1.5 to 2 mm. long, in cross section with two long sides
and a short side half as long; grain light brown, obovate to oval, a
small nipple at the larger end.
The plant seeds in hot countries but not in cool, temperate regions;
spreading chiefly by coarse, hard rootstocks. Introduced.
[Illustration: Fig. 11.]
=Small Crab-Grass.= _Digitaria humifusa_ Pers. _Panicum lineare_ Kroach.
_Syntherisma linearis_ (Kroch.) Nash. Spikelets in the rough, before
severe rubbing, ovoid or oblong, flattened, 2 mm. long, first glume
minute, second and third as long as the spikelet, soft with very short
hairs, one of them 3-nerved, the other 5-nerved; floret after severe
rubbing, brown to black, smooth, floral glume of the rounded side
curving over the edges below covering with their edges about two-thirds
of the palea. Introduced from Europe; becoming troublesome on thin
lawns.
[Illustration: Fig. 12.]
=Large Crab-Grass. Finger Grass.= _Digitaria sanguinalis_ (L.) Scop.
_Panicum sanguinale L. Syntherisma_ (L.) Nash. Spikelets before severe
rubbing, oblong, acute, 2.5-3.5 mm. long, first glume on flattened side
minute, second on rounded side about half as long as the spikelet,
pubescent or nearly smooth, third glume more or less pubescent,
5-7-nerved; floret, after severe rubbing, smooth, edges of floral glume
thin. Introduced from Europe. Roots very tough and coming from the lower
joints.
[Illustration: Fig. 13.]
=Barnyard Grass.= _Echinochloa Crus-galli_ (L.) Beauv. _Panicum
Crus-galli_ L. Florets oval, white, yellowish gray or brown, 2.4-3 mm.
long, plano-convex, glume on the convex side, highly polished, three
obscure longitudinal nerves. Native of this country.
[Illustration: Fig. 14.]
=Yard-Grass. Wire-Grass.= _Eleusine Indica_ (L.) Gaertn. Florets light
lead color or brown before threshing or much rubbing; grain dark,
reddish brown, 1.2-1.4 mm., ovoid with the base abruptly pointed, 3
sided, the corners rounded, a vertical groove along one side; seen from
the back with the groove side down and base toward the observer,
starting from an oval spot near the base, 10-15 ridges on each side,
extend downward and forward. Introduced from some warmer region of the
Old World.
[Illustration: Fig. 15.]
=Stink-Grass.= _Eragrostis megastachya_ (Koeler) Link. _Eragrostis
major_ Host. Grain orange red or wine color .4-.6 mm. long. Broad oval
to nearly circular, very slightly flattened, extremities slightly
pointed, embryo within one edge near the base, a fine network of dark
lines evident under a good lens. Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 16.]
=Squirrel-tail Grass.= _Hordeum jubatum_ L. Spikelets in clusters of
three, central one only fertile, 5 mm. long, containing a grain adhering
to the floral glume and palea, the other two abortive, seven awns in
these three spikelets, 4-6 cm. long, four others less than 1 cm. long;
awns and fragment of rachis holding the cluster of spikelets together,
all barbed upward, making them troublesome for fleeces of sheep and the
mouths of animals eating them. Native of this country and widely
distributed.
[Illustration: Fig. 17.]
=Old Witch Grass. Tickle Grass. A Tumble-Weed.= _Panicum capillare_ L.
Florets flattened, elliptical, apex abruptly pointed, about 1.5 mm.
long, highly polished, leaden gray, lighter at the extremities and along
the edges of the glume, five slender light colored nerves join the
extremities passing vertically over the glume, two light nerves on the
palea. Native to this country.
[Illustration: Fig. 18.]
=Tall Smooth Panicum. Switch Grass.= _Panicum virgatum_ L. Achene
surrounded by two persistent shining pieces, the floret; floral glume
hard, light brown, oval or ovate-lanceolate 2.5-3.1 mm. long. Apex
obtusely pointed. Seldom troublesome, widely distributed.
[Illustration: Fig. 19.]
=Low Spear-Grass.= _Poa annua_ L. Florets straw-colored, 2.8-3.1 mm.
long, apex smooth, lower half of keel and the base of lateral nerves,
having numerous soft hairs. A low annual grass, introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 20.]
=Flat stemmed Poa. Wire Grass. Canadian Blue Grass.= _Poa compressa_ L.
Florets lance-obovate, 2-2.5 mm. long, closely resembling those of Poa
pratensis, which see.
Palea abruptly acute. If well rubbed after threshing, the floret is
nearly smooth, otherwise it contains on the lower half numerous webby
hairs. Grain reddish brown, both ends pointed, 1-1.4 mm. long. Seldom
sown purposely. Sometimes used to adulterate Poa pratensis. In early
days this grass was called blue grass by people of New England and New
York State. Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 21.]
=June Grass. Kentucky Blue Grass.= _Poa pratensis_ L. Florets
ovate-lanceolate, acute 3-4 mm. long, with three equal sides when seen
in transverse section, nearly smooth, if severely rubbed in threshing,
otherwise the floral glume is thickly webbed at the base; palea
acuminate, grain light brown, elliptical, both ends usually pointed
1.2-1.4 mm. long, in cross sections with three equal sides, one of which
has a shallow vertical groove. Compare with Poa compressa. Introduced
from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 22.]
=Rye.= _Secale cereale_ L. Grain light brown, 6-8 mm. long, elliptical,
base acute, apex obtuse and rounded, in cross section the back somewhat
acutely rounded, the opposite side with a narrow vertical groove,
surface more or less irregularly wrinkled. Introduced from Europe. A bad
weed in wheat fields.
[Illustration: Fig. 23.]
=Pigeon-Grass. Yellow Foxtail.= _Setaria glauca_ (L.) Beauv.
_Chaetochloa glauca_ (L.) Scrib. Spikelets light to dark brown, 2.5-3
mm. long; after threshing or much rubbing consisting of each a grain and
two firm coverings, known as a floral glume which covers the sides of
the somewhat depressed palea, oval, apex slightly 3-toothed, rounded
side strongly arched, somewhat V-shaped, roughened crosswise by
prominent fine more or less branching ridges; ridges of palea on concave
side less prominent. Introduced from Europe. Very common in hoed annual
crops.
[Illustration: Fig. 24.]
=Green Foxtail. Green Pigeon Grass.= _Setaria viridis_ (L.) Beauv.
_Chaetochloa viridis_ (L.) Nash. Spikelets, light to dark brown mottled,
2-2.3 mm. long, after threshing or much rubbing consisting of the grain
and two firm coverings, the rounded one known as a floral glume which
covers the edges of the flattened side, oval, the surface granular and
very faintly striate, lengthwise and ridged crosswise. Much resembling
Hungarian grass. Introduced from Europe. Found with yellow foxtail.
[Illustration: Fig. 25.]
=Porcupine Grass.= _Stipa spartea_ Trin. Grain inclosed in the floral
glume, light brown, 18 mm. long, clothed on the lower half with short
brown hairs slanting upward, bearing at the base a sharp, hard, curved
beak, when dry the attached awn is twisted for 6 cm. and straight and
bent at right angles about 6 cm. When moistened, the awn untwists more
or less; twisting and untwisting the beards hold what the beak pierces,
thus making it a formidable weapon to enter the skins of sheep, goats
and dogs. Fortunately it is seldom abundant. Sandy land Michigan and
westward.
SEDGE FAMILY. CYPERACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 26.]
=Yellow Nut-Grass.= _Cyperus esculentus_ L. This is a species of sedge,
and so far as I have examined, produces no seeds, perhaps having lost
that method of reproduction, as it acquired the habit of spreading by
tubers here illustrated. In moist soil, sometimes a troublesome weed.
[Illustration: Fig. 27.]
=Ovoid Spike-rush.= _Eleocharis ovata_ (Roth.) R. & S. Spike ovoid, 4-10
mm. long, achene pale to chestnut brown, shining, obovate-oblong,
compressed, about 1 mm. long, bearing a triangular tubercle at the apex,
and six to eight barbed bristles, 1.3-1.7 mm. long, very variable. Not
troublesome except in low land.
RUSH FAMILY. JUNACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 28.]
=Slender Rush.= _Juncus tenuis_ Willd. Seeds light brown to amber color,
translucent, flattened, oval, half oval, oblong, ovoid, the acute apex
curved to one side, about 0.3 mm. long. Dry to moist soil, almost
throughout North America, now migrating to all parts of the world. A
very common, grass-like rush in this state, seldom recognized by any one
under any name, except by a first-rate botanist.
LILY FAMILY. LILACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 29.]
=Field Garlic. Wild Garlic.= _Allium vineale_ L. Seeds not seen,
apparently seldom produced; bulblets (b) light yellow or almost white,
obovoid to elliptical, 7-8 mm. long, when dry. Introduced from Europe.
Troublesome in pastures and tainting the flavor of butter; in wheat it
taints the flavor of flour. Persistent when introduced. The illustration
of grains of wheat (a) are given for comparison.
NETTLE FAMILY. URTICACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 30.]
=Slender Nettle.= _Urtica gracilis_ Ait. Achenes compressed,
lens-shaped, ovate, rarely oval, faces similar, smooth, dull and grayish
brown, .9-1.1 mm. long. Native of this country. Compared with U. dioica,
this achene is thinner and shorter. Prominent in low pastures.
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. POLYGONACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 31.]
=Knot-Grass.= _Polygonum aviculare_ L. This door-yard weed is in no
sense a grass. Achenes unequally 3-sided, ovoid, acute, angles obtuse,
surface, dull, light to dark reddish brown, finely granular and striate
lengthwise. 1.8-2.2 mm. long, usually with the remains of calyx
attached. Native of this country. Common about door-yards.
[Illustration: Fig. 32.]
=Wild Buckwheat.= _Polygonum Convolvulus_ L. Achenes dull, jet-black,
equally 3-sided, elliptical to obovoid, minutely granular often with
faint longitudinal striation, the faces often more or less concave, the
angles rounded, 2.5-3.5 mm. long, sometimes with the remains of calyx
attached. Introduced from Europe. Often climbing up corn stalks.
[Illustration: Fig. 33.]
=Erect Knotweed.= _Polygonum erectum_ L. Achenes dull, light to dark
brown, unequally 3-sided, ovoid or rhombic, finely granular and striate
lengthwise, the faces sometimes concave, the angles rounded, 2.5-3 mm.
long, sometimes with the remains of calyx attached. Native to this
country. Of little account.
[Illustration: Fig. 34.]
=Smart-weed.= _Polygonum Hydropiper_ L. Achene dull, granular, light to
dark reddish brown, lenticular, acutely and narrowly or broadly
elliptical, or 3-sided, apex acute, concave on the sides, angles obtuse,
2-3 mm. long, sometimes with the remains of the dotted calyx attached.
Introduced from Europe. Wet land.
[Illustration: Fig. 35.]
=Dock-leaved or Pale Persicaria.= _Polygonum lapathifolium_ L. Achene
shining, dark to chestnut brown, 2-2.2 mm. long, flattened, circular to
broadly ovate with abruptly pointed apex, the base obtuse or bearing the
remains of the thin calyx. Introduced from Europe. Low wet places.
=Shore Knotweed.= _Polygonum littorale_ Link. So far as the achenes are
concerned, they are identical with those of P. aviculare above
described. Native of this country. On hard or thin places, especially
when newly graded.
[Illustration: Fig. 36.]
=Pennsylvania Persicaria=, _Polygonum Pennsylvanicum_ L. Achene shining,
jet-black, flattened, surface very slightly uneven and granular nearly
circular with a short abrupt apex, edge rounded, 2.5-3 mm. long, often
bearing the remains of the calyx. Native to this country. Occasional in
annual crops.
[Illustration: Fig. 37.]
=Lady's Thumb.= _Polygonum Persicaria_ L. Achene shining, jet-black,
surface finely uneven, much flattened with rounded edges or with 3
nearly equal concave faces, the edges faintly angled along the center,
broadly ovate, base obtuse or bearing a portion of the calyx, apex
abruptly pointed, 2-2.3 long. Introduced from Europe. Waste places and
stubble ground.
[Illustration: Fig. 38.]
=Climbing False Buckwheat.= _Polygonum scandens_ L. Achene black,
shining, in cross-section sides flat or concave, corners rounded,
obovate, in vertical outline sides rounded to an obtuse apex, from
rounded sides to base slightly concave, base acute, 3.5-4 mm. long when
freed from the persistent base of the calyx. Woods and shady places. Not
prominent as a weed.
[Illustration: Fig. 39.]
=Sorrel. Sour Dock.= _Rumex Acetosa_ L. Calyx-wings broadly ovate or
orbicular, heart-shaped 3.5-4.5 mm. long, achene shining, with 3 equal
sides, broadly oval, both ends abruptly pointed, the thin edges usually
lighter colored than the dark brown or black convex faces, 1.5-2 mm.
long. Introduced from Europe. Not common.
[Illustration: Fig. 40.]
=Sheep Sorrel.= _Rumex Acetosella_ L. Achenes usually closely covered by
dull reddish brown, finally roughened calyx, which is removed with
difficulty; achenes shining with 3 equal sides, broadly oval, the base
rounded, the apex abruptly pointed, sides convex, reddish brown or amber
color, corners obtuse, darker colored. Native of this country, though in
large part introduced from Europe. Very common in thin sandy meadows.
[Illustration: Fig. 41.]
=Narrow-leaved or Curled Dock.= _Rumex crispus_ L. Achene covered by 3
brown heart-shaped calyx-wings, which are 2.5-3.5 mm. long, each bearing
an ovoid, acute tubercle; one of them is 1.5 mm. long, the other two
smaller. Achene ovoid, 3-angled, shining, rich reddish-brown, 1.3-1.8
mm. long, .7-1.4 mm. wide, in transverse section the angles prominent,
convex sides and angles concave near the base; base abruptly acute; when
viewed vertically sides and angles concave near the apex; apex abruptly
acute, compare these notes with those concerning R. obtusifolius.
Introduced from Europe. Very common on low land and in meadows.
[Illustration: Fig. 42.]
=Broad-leaved or Bitter Dock.= _Rumex obtusifolius_ L. Achene covered by
three brown, hastate-deltoid calyx-wings, which are about 4 mm. long,
each bearing an ovoid-elliptical tubercle, one of them 1.5 mm. long,
the other two very narrow, rudimentary. Achenes ovoid, 3-angled, less
polished than those of R. crispus, light brown, 2-2.4 mm. long, 1-1.4
mm. wide, angles in transverse section slight, sides convex, usually in
a greater degree than in the specie just named, vertically sides and
angles very slightly concave or straight near the base which is abruptly
acute; sides and angles near the apex scarcely concave or straight; apex
acute. Introduced from Europe. Not very common.
[Illustration: Fig. 43.]
=Patience Dock.= _Rumex Patientia_ L. Calyx-wings circular-heart shaped,
4-6 mm. long, one of them bearing a prominent ovoid tubercle; achene
ovoid-elliptical, 3-angled, somewhat polished, shining, light-brown,
2.5-3.5 mm. long, 1.7-2 mm. wide, angles prominent, sides straight, in
transverse section, not counting the angles, base rounded, not counting
the abrupt point, when seen vertically, the sides near the apex are
straight or slightly concave. Introduced from Europe. Not common.
[Illustration: Fig. 44.]
=Willow-leaved Dock.= _Rumex Mexicanus_ Meisn. _Rumex salicifolius_
Weinm. Calyx-wings triangular-ovate, about 3 mm. long, each bearing a
large tubercle; achene dark reddish brown, smooth, shining, 1.8-2.2 mm.
long, ovoid, angles prominent, the sides viewed transversely rounded,
the sides of the base as viewed vertically, rounded, straight or
slightly concave, near the apex straight or concave. A native of
Northeastern North America. Not common.
GOOSEFOOT OR PIGWEED FAMILY. CHENOPODIACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 45.]
=Spreading Orache.= _Atriplex patula_ L. Seeds are likely to occur in
either of three different guises, depending upon the degree of their
ripeness or the amount of threshing to which they have been subjected.
Achenes thin, dull, granular, gray, closely fitting the seed; seed
jet-black, shining, flattened, nearly circular, edge bluntly rounded,
and notched in one place, a groove leading from one side of a margined
protuberance part way to the center of the face, 1.5-1.8 mm. in
diameter. Introduced from Europe. Seldom troublesome.
[Illustration: Fig. 46.]
=Pigweed. Lamb's Quarters.= _Chenopodium album_ L. Seeds are likely to
occur in either of three different guises dependent upon the degree of
their ripeness or the amount of threshing to which they have been
subjected. The figure shows these conditions admirably.
Seeds black, dull or somewhat glistening, gray if not pretty clean;
nearly circular; somewhat lens-shaped, one side usually more nearly
flattened than the other 1-1.4 mm. in diameter, the edge bluntly
rounded, the more convex side bearing a curved groove leading from one
side of the marginal protuberance to near the center of the face,
surface finely uneven, often with a faintly evident radiating striation.
Introduced from Europe. Very common in annual crops.
[Illustration: Fig. 47.]
=Mexican Tea.= _Chenopodium ambrosioides_ L. Note remarks under last
preceding description concerning different stages of cleaning. Seeds
smooth, shining, reddish brown, to black, thickly double convex with
scarcely a trace of a hem-like margin, circular, short kidney-shaped or
ovate with a notch on the edge, .6-.8 mm. long. Introduced from tropical
America. Not prominent.
[Illustration: Fig. 48.]
=Jerusalem Oak.= _Chenopodium Botrys_ L. Concerning different states of
cleaning, note remarks above under C. album.
Seeds perfectly cleaned with great difficulty, brown to black or gray,
when imperfectly cleaned, slightly flatted on two sides, circular or
round, kidney-shaped, sometimes with a hem-like margin, on one side a
faint groove from the margin to near the center of the face, .6-.8 mm.
in diameter. Introduced from Europe. Not prominent.
[Illustration: Fig. 49.]
=Oak-leaved Goosefoot.= _Chenopodium glaucum_ L. Concerning the
different stages of cleaning note remarks above under C. album.
Seeds brown to black, more or less slightly granular, shining, flattened
on two sides, circular edge bluntly rounded, with a single notch from
which on one side extends a slight depression toward the center of the
face, .5-.8 mm. in diameter. Introduced from Europe. Occasional on moist
soil.
[Illustration: Fig. 50.]
=Maple-leaved Goosefoot.= _Chenopodium hybridum_ L. Concerning the
different stages of cleaning, note remarks above under C. album.
Seeds black, shining, greenish gray if not fully cleaned, nearly
circular, lens-shaped, equally convex, 1.2-1.8 mm. in diameter, with a
notch on the edge, from which on one side a groove leads to near the
center of the face, surface finely uneven, often with a faintly evident
radiating striation. Native of this country. Of little importance.
[Illustration: Fig. 51.]
=Many-seeded Goosefoot.= _Chenopodium polyspermum_ L. Concerning
different stages of cleaning, note remarks above under C. album.
Seeds finely glandular, shining, jet-black, greenish gray, when not
fully cleaned, nearly circular or broadly kidney-shaped, sides equally
convex, .6-1.1 mm. in diameter, with a notch on the edge from which on
one side, a groove leads to near the center of the face. Introduced from
Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 52.]
=Winged Pigweed.= _Cycloloma atriplicifolium_ (Spreng.) Coulter. Seeds
are likely to occur in either of three different guises depending upon
the degree their ripeness or the amount of threshing to which they have
been subjected. See the figure of this species. Seeds granular,
circular, dull, jet-black, or gray in case the thin ovary remains,
1.3-1.7 mm. in diameter, lower face convex, the upper slightly convex if
mature, with a slight notch on the rounded edge, the lower face bearing
a slight curved groove, leading from the notch to near the center, the
upper face with a light spot at the center. Introduced from western
United States. A tumble weed, not common.
[Illustration: Fig. 53.]
=Russian Thistle.= _Salsola Kali tenuifolia_ G. F. W. Mey. This is not a
thistle nor a cactus, but a pigweed. Concerning different stages of
cleaning, note remarks above under Chenopodium album (see the figures).
Seeds conical, the apex flattened or concave, both sides showing the
long coiled embryo, light gray in color, about 2 mm. in diameter.
Introduced from northern Europe into the north west and from there into
Michigan. Well advertised, though not of high rank as a weed in this
state. A tumble weed.
AMARANTH FAMILY. AMARANTHACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 54.]
=Western Water Hemp.= _Acnida tuberculata Moq._ Seeds smooth, highly
polished, brown to jet-black, double convex, nearly circular, with a
slight notch at one edge, .6-.8 mm. in diameter, smaller, lighter
colored, and thin margins less conspicuous than those found on the seeds
of _Amaranthus circaezans_. There are three varieties with seeds much
the same as these. Native of low ground in central and southern
Michigan.
[Illustration: Fig. 55.]
=Prostrate Amaranth.= _Amaranthus blitoides_ S. Wats. Seeds smooth,
highly polished, jet-black, double convex, nearly circular, with a
slight notch at one edge, 1.4-1.5 mm. in diameter. Introduced from west
of the Rocky Mountains. It thrives on sandy and gravelly banks. Margin
of this seed is less pronounced than in either of the other three
noticed above. Found almost everywhere in fields of Michigan. Introduced
from tropical America. Very common in annual hoed crops.
[Illustration: Fig. 56.]
=Tumble weed.= _Amaranthus graecizans_ L. Seeds smooth, highly polished,
jet-black, double convex, nearly circular with a slight notch at one
edge, .7-1 mm. in diameter. Compare with _Acnida_. Introduced from
tropical America. It needs sand or gravel.
[Illustration: Fig. 57.]
=Slender Pigweed.= _Amaranthus hybridus_ L. (_A. chlorostachys_). Seeds
smooth, highly polished, jet-black, double convex, broadly ovate, with a
slight notch at the narrow extremity, 1.1-1.4 mm. long. Distinguished
from the preceding species by having a seed ovate instead of circular.
Introduced from tropical America. Not abundant.
[Illustration: Fig. 58.]
=Rough Pigweeds.= _Amaranthus retroflexus_ L. Sometimes incorrectly
called red-root. Seeds smooth, highly polished, jet-black, double
convex, broadly ovate, with a slight notch at the narrow end, .9-1.2 mm.
long. The seeds of this and the next preceding are ovate, while those of
the first two are very nearly circular. When seen edgewise, the
hem-like margin of this seed is less prominent then in either of the
preceding three noticed above. Found almost everywhere in annual crops.
Introduced from tropical America.
KNOTWEED FAMILY. ILLECEBRACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 59.]
=Knawel.= _Scleranthus annuus_ L. As the seed is single for each flower,
it is unnecessary for the ovary to open; the small, hardened, ten-angled
calyx with its five thick lobes aid in protecting and distributing the
seed within. The seed is seldom seen. Calyx straw colored, obovoid, 2
mm. long besides the five spreading, membranaceous lobes, which are
nearly as long. A low spreading plant, resembling some kinds of
chickweed.
AIZOACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 60.]
=Carpet-Weed.= _Mollugo verticillata_ L. Seeds orange-red, shining,
flattened, kidney-shaped or ovoid, .4-.6 mm. long, concave on the
thinner edge from which protrudes a nipple-like point, a low central
ridge passing over the rounded edge. Native of warmer America. Needing
sand.
PINK FAMILY. CARYOPHYLLACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 61.]
=Cockle.= _Agrostemma Githago_ L. Flowers rose-colored; pod
erect, ovoid, about 16 mm. long; seeds dark brown to black,
wedge-shaped-triangular, appearing as though the two extremities were
bent together; surface covered with curved rows of conspicuous teeth,
one side 3-3.5 mm. long. Introduced from Europe. In no sense a weed
except in wheat fields.
[Illustration: Fig. 62.]
=Thyme-leaved Sandwort.= _Arenaria serpyllifolia_ L. Flowers white;
seeds reddish brown to lead color, slightly flattened, circular to
short-kidney-shaped. Each side covered with 4-5 curved rows of smooth,
oval tubercles, giving the appearance of having two extremities bent
together, about 5 mm. in diameter. Naturalized from Europe, delighting
in light, poor soil. When well grown it becomes a tumbleweed.
[Illustration: Fig. 63.]
=Larger Mouse-ear Chickweed.= _Cerastium vulgatum_ L. Flowers white;
pods cylindrical; seeds light-reddish yellow to dark reddish brown;
slightly flattened, 4-sided, 2 of them straight, converging, one
rounded, the other narrow and notched. Some of them ovoid, others nearly
circular, covered with a few irregularly curved rows of tubercles, .4-.8
mm. in diameter. In large part introduced from Europe, though a native
of this continent.
[Illustration: Fig. 64.]
=Bouncing Bet. Soapwort.= _Saponaria officinalis_ L. Flowers white;
seeds dark lead-color, flattened, short-kidney-shaped to circular with
notch on one side, 2 mm. across, more or less, with 6-7 curved rows of
short, shiny tubercles. Naturalized from Europe, delighting in sandy
soil.
[Illustration: Fig. 65.]
=Cow-herb.= _Saponaria Vaccaria_ L. Seed dull, jet-black, slightly
roughened by great numbers of minute points, nearly spherical, 2.3 mm.
in diameter. An annual very troublesome in spring wheat. Introduced from
Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 66.]
=Sleepy Catch-Fly.= _Silene antirrhina_ L. Flowers pink; seeds
lead-color, slightly flattened, circular to short-kidney-shaped, each
side covered with 5-6 curved rows of pointed tubercles giving the
appearance of having two blunt extremities bent together, .5-.7 mm.
across. Compare seeds with those of _Arenaria_ above described. When in
flower, two of the upper internodes are glutinous. Only found on thin
soil.
[Illustration: Fig. 67.]
=Forked Catch-fly.= _Silene dichotoma_ Ehrh. Seeds reddish-brown,
flattened, the three sides and the corners rounded, thickest at one
corner narrowing to the side opposite; seed scar in the middle of the
narrow side, four curved rows of tubercles on either side of the seed
extending to the scar, diameter 1.3 mm., the thick edge concave,
containing 6-7 rows of tubercles.
[Illustration: Fig. 68.]